Posts by Dr. Eric Ostermeier
Respect Your Elders?
With retirement announcements this year by veteran U.S. Representatives such as 30-term Democrat John Dingell of Michigan, 20-term Democrat George Miller of California, and 18-term Republican Tom Petri of Wisconsin, it is no surprise that retirees from the 113th Congress…
Read MoreSmall Club in St. Paul
Mark Dayton is one of just three Minnesotans ever elected to three different statewide offices. Dayton, of course, had previously served as State Auditor (1991-1995) and U.S. Senator (2001-2007) before winning the governorship in 2010. At that time, he joined…
Read MoreSeven Is Enough: The Packed GOP Field to Replace Tom Coburn
Seven candidates may seem like a handful, but it’s only half the number of Republicans who ran for the Sooner State’s U.S. Senate seat in 1920.
Read MoreWill Kathleen Sebelius Seek a Rare Political Trifecta?
Sebelius could become the first woman to serve as governor, U.S. Senator, and cabinet head, and just the ninth individual to do so during the last 100+ years.
Read MoreWisconsin US House Delegation Experience, 1848-2014
Sign of the times: 23 of the Top 25 most experienced delegations from the Badger State have been elected over the last 50 years.
Read MoreIowa Republicans Surrender Record Number of State House Seats in 2014
Iowa Republicans failed to field candidates in a party record 32 State House districts this cycle – shattering the previous GOP high water mark by 39 percent.
Read MoreCan Democrats Knock Out Kasich in Ohio?
The 40 percent rate at which Ohio Democrats have won the governorship with a Democrat in the White House over the last century is good for third best in the Midwest – but it hasn’t happened since 1952.
Read MoreThe Shortest Tenures of Louisiana US Reps in History
Vance McAllister’s political half-life may be running out, but he won’t quite have the briefest stint in the U.S. House from the Pelican State – that would be Effingham Lawrence at just one day.
Read MoreVance McAllister: In His Own Words
If Rep. McAllister does not resign, his 2014 opponents will have a treasure trove of statements from the congressman saying one thing and doing another.
Read MoreTom Petri to Face Rare Republican Challenger in 2014
The fourth longest-serving U.S. Representative in Wisconsin history has faced only two primary challengers during his 17 previous reelection bids.
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